LWC Community Welcomes Class of 2017

That is when members of the Lindsey Wilson College Class
of 2017 are scheduled to graduate from the liberal arts
college.

But in the next four years, great things are expected of
one of the college's largest freshmen classes.

"You are going to accomplish great things together and as
individuals," LWC President William T. Luckey Jr. told the freshmen
Saturday afternoon at an opening ceremony in the Doris and Bob
Holloway Health & Wellness Center. "You will win national
championships together; you will travel across this country
together and to other countries as well; you will sing and act,
make music together; you will serve in nursing homes, daycares and
afterschool programs together; you will laugh, you will cry, you
will grieve, and you will celebrate together."

College officials will not know for a couple weeks the
size of this year's freshman class. But they already know it will
be one of the largest and brightest. Luckey told the freshmen that
they are part of the "best and brightest" class in LWC's 110-year
history, according to ACT scores and high school grade point
averages.

Luckey encouraged the freshmen to take advantage of the
opportunities they receive over the next four years -- not unlike
the way he did 35 years ago when he left home for college in the
Midwest.

"I had a lot of fun. I played hard, but I also worked
hard," he said. "I took advantage of an incredible opportunity, and
I'm reminded of that every day of my life. The question is, will
you do the same? Will you take advantage of this opportunity before
you today?"

LWC Student Government Association President Jonathan
Joseph of Louisville, Ky., told the freshmen that it is easy to
find a place at the college, which will have more than 1,150
students living in residence halls this school year.

"This is the most loving place that accepts everyone for
who they are and for who they want to be," he said. "The
possibilities at Lindsey Wilson truly are endless. … The family
aspect of Lindsey Wilson is second to none."

Students began moving into residence halls early Saturday
morning -- an annual tradition that longtime LWC Dean of Students
Chris Schmidt said he always enjoys.

"Opening weekend is traditional. It's performed by
colleges all over the nation, but we try to make it special,"
Schmidt said. "For many people, opening weekend marks a new
beginning and a series of new opportunities. It would be
anti-climatic if we didn't make a big deal out if it. … It's not
just a big deal to the students but to the parents and
grandparents. We have so many first-generation college students
here that it means a lot to entire families."

And judging by the mood of freshman Luke Rearic
of Lexington, Ky., there is much enthusiasm in the LWC
freshman class.

"What drew me to Lindsey Wilson was the small campus, and
I just liked being here when I visited," he said. "I came here for
wrestling and can't wait to start here with practice and classes.
I'm very excited about my new life here."